The People of the State of New York v. Juan Castillo

Summary

The Court affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that a pre‑trial suppression hearing may be conducted ex parte and without disclosure of a confidential informant’s identity when safety and investigative needs outweigh the defendant’s participation rights, that the prior illegal police entry did not taint the warrant, and that such procedures do not violate due process. Justice Hancock, Jr., dissenting, argued that the defendant was denied a fundamental right to adversarial participation.